Saturday, August 30, 2014

Absarokee: one-day farmers market wonder

One day a year the Absarokee farmers market blooms.

About 40 vendors gather on the lawn of the Cobblestone School at the south end of town to participate in a fund-raiser for the preservation of the unusual building, which is on the National Register of Historic Places. You can learn more about this at the Cobblestone School website.

Today was stormy and when I arrived I was told that a strong wind had blown down enough awnings that many of the vendors left early. By mid-morning the 10 or so who remained were doing a brisk business.

Inside the historic schoolhouse a quilt show offered refuge to those who wanted to avoid occasional rain sprinkles. Downstairs breakfast was being served, and around noon, an outdoor barbecue would be grilling hot dogs and hamburgers.

Outside, there was a festive atmosphere despite the looming storm clouds. Strolling musicians livened up the day considerably. Somehow that bass made its way around the market along with the fiddle, mandolin, and guitars.

This farmers market excelled at offering the best of area produce.

Maureen from down the road in Fishtail had late-season rhubarb and a mouthwatering selection of canned relishes and sauces.

Next to her were a young couple who raise vegetables in their small garden just down the street. This was their first farmers market ever, and they were enjoying their success. A wheelbarrow of freshly picked corn sold out quickly, and the carrots and herbs were going pretty fast, too.

Everything looked so bright and tasty, you really didn't need to wonder where the baked goods were at this market. A sweet purple carrot would do nicely.

The Absarokee farmers market is always the Saturday of Labor Day weekend, 8 am to 1 pm, so you can mark your 2015 calendar now.